Reality of Great Joy

The very first reality television show is considered to be "Candid Camera," which premiered in 1948. You may recall, a hidden camera recorded the reactions of ordinary and unsuspecting people to pranks and practical jokes. Perhaps what made the show so popular and funny was how we could relate to those reactions. When reading the Book of Psalms, it's impossible to miss this reoccurring theme: life is difficult. Numerous psalms begin with this confirmation of reality: "Save me and rescue me" (7:1) ... "Save and help and rescue, LORD" (12:1) ... "Keep and protect me, O God" (16:1) ... "To You I call, O LORD" (28:1) ... "Have mercy on me, O God" (51:1). Regardless of how cleverly and strategically we work to manage our lives ... hard happens! There is a grave misunderstanding of the Believer's battle in life, and Paul addresses this: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12 NASB). The ancient military general Sun Tzu said "know thy enemy" - know your opponent and his strategy for victory. The soul's enemy (Satan) is keenly interested in working through circumstances and relationships to lead God's people to spiritual demise - discouragement, anxiety, fear, anger, depression, weariness, etc. The second reality presented in the Book of Psalms is that ... God is good! "You have put joy in my heart ... In peace [and with a tranquil heart] I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety and confident trust." (Psalm 4:7-9 AMP). Unlike "Candid Camera," the life-is-hard reality is no laughing matter. Praise be to the LORD of all life, the certain reality that God is eternally attentive and faithful and good to those who love and persevere in Christ is a ... reality of great joy!

Just Jesus

It's true - we are life-long learners. I suggest we are [also] life-long un-learners! Just think about the things we've had to un-learn in order to take advantage of new and more efficient ways of doing things: shopping, cooking, banking, traveling, etc.  As children we grew to learn and assume our independence from our parents - that's a good thing. What is not good, however, is how Believers often indiscriminately shrug-off their dependence on God. Oswald Chambers notes how in Scripture clouds are often associated with God. For example, "Clouds and thick darkness are all around Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne." (Psalm 97:2) and "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen." (Revelation 1:7). Respectively, we often attempt to face life's storm clouds independently of The One Who surrounds Himself as such. How do we un-learn this I-can-do-this-on-my-own mentality? "Looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only." (Mark 9:8). Perhaps the storms in our lives aren't meant to teach us as much as they are designed that we may un-learn dependence on anything or anyone except God! Embracing newer and more efficient ways of living isn't all bad, but may we never-ever grow into an independence of The Father. When we look into the clouds, always see ... just Jesus.

Safe Place

What keeps you up at night - disturbs your sleep, causes you to toss 'n turn, steals those nighttime winks, that beauty rest? I'm quite sure the list is varied and endless! In Psalm 4:7-8 (ESV), David says, "You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." If you read the previous verse, you'll see this is David's response to the skeptics of his day, those who doubted God would hear and rescue him from his troubles. Sounds a lot like our culture well-sprinkled with skepticism about the One True God and His power. May I suggest that many times the skepticism we hear may be a result of our own failure to display genuine truly trust God ourselves. When the world witnesses us become anxious and worry about things, it's a poor commentary on just how trustworthy our God is! The depth of David's trust in the Lord is so real that he is fearless enough to lie down as well as sleep! His rest is unhindered because he has rightly and pleasantly concluded the Lord is his place of safety. Paul says it like this: "You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3 (NASB).  Whatever sleep escapes you, preach this to yourself: Christ is ever and always your ... safe place. 

Mighty Words

Excuse the play on words, but mirrors can be a matter of serious ... reflection. In most bathrooms, the
mirror is a key fixture; we frame it, clean it to a sparkle-shine, and rarely ignore what it reflects. How often, however, do you consider your spiritual reflection? Unlike the attention we give to our physical reflections, we tend to neglect the spiritual. Jesus prayed for His followers: “For their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” (John 17:19, ESV). While God's Truth is altogether sanctifying (making us holy), we first must know His Truth. It's interesting how followers of Jesus give so little thought and devote tiny amounts of time to God's Word. Reading and meditating on His words isn't just a spiritual exercise, it must be a daily discipline; there's no other way to know God and be in relationship with Jesus. Furthermore, with all the lies that come at us [from all directions], we're left defenseless to identify the lies unless God's Truth is in us! I encourage us all to be thankful and grateful for The Holy Scriptures - to recognize and remember and reflect on these mighty words ... "Thus saith the Lord."

The Guarantee

Several years ago I thinned out my collection of recipe books. While limited space was a factor, the reality was I seldom used any of them! David wrote, "I have set the LORD always before me" (Psalm 16:8). When preparing a special dish or assembling something new, it is most helpful to focus on and follow the instructions. David continues with these confident words: "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore" (Verse 11). Even when intently following the recipe or instructions, a good outcome isn't always guaranteed. The Lord, however, never leads us astray; His right hand never fails to produce His intended purpose. This was David's confidence and it must be our own! Honestly, I rarely try new recipes; I tend to stick-with what I know to be good and historically successful. So it is with the formula for promised fullness of joy as guaranteed by The Lord Himself. Like David, it begins and ends with a personal choice: "I have set the LORD always before me." Keeping the Lord first and foremost in our life is ... the guarantee.